The Chartered Accountants Student Challenge is an online accounting competition designed to provide accounting students with a taste of the varied and interesting issues they would encounter as an accountant.  
 
Through this competition, we aim to highlight the dynamic nature of a career in accounting and the opportunities available to those who complete a post-graduate accounting qualification. 
 
Now in its third year, the 2010 Student Challenge will ask students to examine a real-life business problem facing The Smith Family and be judged on how effectively they solve it.  
 
In 2010, there will be two Challenges, one for first year and one for second/third year university students. Each Challenge has its unique rewards. 
 
Your students have the choice to take on the Challenge solo or find a partner with whom to enter and win a range of prizes including: 
 
- Power lunch with prospective employers in their capital city 
 
- Travel vouchers and; 
 
- An all expenses paid trip to London to job shadow high profile Chartered Accountants from Australia and New Zealand, now based in London. 
 
Every student is in with a chance, as the Institute awards one winner from each state and also a national winner for both Challenges. With the graduate job market more competitive than ever, this is an invaluable opportunity for students to enhance their résumé by demonstrating that they are able to apply what they’ve learned at university to a real-life scenario. 
 
Key dates: 
 
Question revealed - 9am Saturday, 1 May 2010 
 
Submissions close - 12noon Tuesday, 31 August 2010 
 
Discussion period - 12noon Tuesday 31 August - 5pm Sunday, 12 September 2010 
 
Winners announced - 9am Monday, 13 September 2010 
 
Next steps: 
 
If you are interested in offering this question as an assessment task for your classes this year, we would be happy to provide you with suggested judging criteria once the competition closes in September 2010 for ease of marking.  
 
If you simply wish to make your students aware of this competition, we can also supply you with resources such as flyers, posters and/or a PowerPoint slide summary to put up during your lectures/tutorials. 
 
If you would like to review the Challenge question or find out more about this competition, please email your request to student.challenge@charteredaccountants.com.au 
 
Like the Chartered Accountants Program, this competition is an opportunity for students to rise to a great challenge, and reap exceptional rewards.